Mochettaz Reservoir Fishing in Yamhill County, Oregon

• Overview

  Mochettaz Reservoir stands in Yamhill County, Oregon. Elevation runs to 427 feet. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. McMinnville lies 5.5 miles from the water. The big place round here is Salem, 24 miles distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water. The county lists over twenty named waters in all.

• Where to Fish on Mochettaz Reservoir

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Public occurrence data for Yamhill County names largemouth bass, bluegill and white crappie. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Mochettaz Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 64°F and December near 40°F. The season runs year-round, with the peak either side of summer. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. That is the shape of the year on Mochettaz Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Von Reservoir, 5.3 miles out. Treat Mochettaz Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.